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Rex Ryan, John Idzik spend day on radio defending Jets moves

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New Jets general manager John Idzik has been very active with roster changes since coming to Florham Park and spent much of Tuesday clarifying those moves on area radio stations.
(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

By day’s end, GM John Idzik and coach Rex Ryan had exhausted every company line and faced every perception surrounding the new regime.

They resisted the notion that they were anti-Tim Tebow or pro-Mark Sanchez, denied they were liars or schemers when it came to Darrelle Revis, and refused to admit the team had any set starters.

Competition first, Idzik’s mantra, is still the order of the day.

So it went Tuesday when the two participated in an all-day talk radio blitz, beginning with Idzik’s appearance on ESPN’s "Mike & Mike" in the morning to discuss Tebow being cut, and ending with Idzik’s appearance with local blusterer Mike Francesa on WFAN.

In between, the revelations were few. Some of the bigger ones:

•â Idzik claimed he never discussed a position change with Tebow before the team released him on Monday.

"I thought we were going to use him in a multiple of ways," Ryan said on ESPN Radio. "It just really just didn’t work out. We really didn’t take advantage, in my opinion, of his skill set. That’s nobody’s fault ... ultimately it’s my fault."

•â Ryan said there’s no guarantee Sanchez or rookie Geno Smith will be the team’s starting quarterback next season, but did say the public would see the best Sanchez they’ve ever seen. Idzik added that he thinks Sanchez is invigorated by the newness inside the team’s headquarters.

"There is no guarantee that Mark will be our starter, there’s no question," Ryan said on ESPN Radio. "That job’s going to have to be earned."

In the wake of Tebow’s release, the Jets were more proactive with broadcast media appearances than in recent memory when a volatile story arises. The timing could have been coincidental, as many GMs do appearances following the NFL Draft, or it could have been to control public opinion. Revis, for example, was more aggressive in the days following his trade.

Idzik, either way, has confronted growing curiosity surrounding his team with a tight-lipped approach that has proven radically different from years past. Even Ryan, known for turning days like these into something different entirely.

The rookie quarterback, who was previously represented by Erik Burkhardt and Jeff Nalley of Select Sports Group, will have five days before he can begin seeking new representation.

Smith stressed that he wasn’t displeased by his draft position and did not fire his agents because he slipped to the second round.

"It’s not because of one particular incident," he said on Sirius XM. "There’s a number of things. And that story, you know, that battle will be fought on a different day. As of right now I don’t feel too comfortable talking about all the details of it."...

Ryan, on a conference call with fans, said there is a possibility that drafting Sheldon Richardsoncould knock Quinton Coples out to an edge rusher position. Ryan worked
Coples out as an outside linebacker at the combine in 2012.